Latch striker mechanism



p 8, 1959 J. G. JOACHIM ETAL 2,903,288

LATCH STRIKER MECHANISM Filed Sept. 27, 1956 I 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS P 195.9 J. G. JoAcl-nm ETAL 2,903,288

LATCH STRIKERMECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 27, 1956 z/Zsgal? BY CIE zyn A'FFOQ NEY Sept. 8, 1959 J. G.YJOACHIM ETAI. 2,903,288

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CfiJga/F BY CZy/ozzQf ATTORNEY United States Patent LATCH STRIKER MECHANISM Joseph G. Joachim, Detr'oit, and Clayton H. White, Mount Clemens, Mich., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application September 27, 1956, Serial No. 612,524

13 Claims. (Cl. 292-341;16)

This invention relates to latch striker mechanisms and particularly to movable latch striker mechanisms.

Frequently it isessential in certain type installations that related closure members close tightly. For example, motor vehicle deck lids must shut tightly against a resilient weather strip to protect the interior of the trunk from leakage, such as water and dust. If manufacturing tolerances are a concern as with mass produced vehicle bodies, then each deck lid may have to be adjusted to insure proper closure at assembly as well as later after repeated usage.

With these and other considerations in mind thepresent invention contemplates as a main object the provision of a movable striker mechanism that is automatically operable to insure a proper closure of related closure members. 1

Specifically, the invention seeksto provide a power actuating means for moving a striker element through appropriate linkage means to a locked position upon movement of a latch towards the striker element and to an unlocked position upon movement of the latch away from the striker element. 7

Further, the invention provides a striker mechanism which, when the striker element and the latch are in the locked position, will continue to retract until a predetermined pressure between the associated closure mem-. bers is attained insuring a tight fit despite misalignments and wear. i

The foregoing and other objects and advantagesof the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top elevational view of a striker mechanism according to the invention.

Figure 1a is a circuit diagram of the controls for the striker mechanism.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the striker mechamsm.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the striker mechanism.

Figure 4 is a side elevational View along lines 4-.-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a partial sectional view. along lines 55 of Figure l. 1

Figure 6 is a partial sectional view along lines 6 6 of Figure 1.

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a striker mechanism that maybe used with a vehicle deck latch mechanism in accordance with the teaching of an application of Garvey et al. US. S.N, 557,713, filed January 6, 1956. This striker mechanism of the present invention comprises a movably mounted striker element or bar 10 supported by a mounting bracket 12, power actuating means 14 for moving the striker element to locked and unlocked positions relative to a latch member 16, latch operated means 18 for starting operation of the power actuating means, and tension means 20 for stopping operation of the power actuating means.

The mounting bracket 12 is constructed in two sub-' stantially similar sections, each having upstanding side frames-22 and lower and upper laterally extending parallel mounting flangm 24 and 2.6. These two sections are welded or otherwise secured together in the front by an L-shaped member 28. In the rear, one of the side frames 22 has an integral laterally inwardly extending motor mounting flange '30 with an'offset leg 32 welded to the opposite side frame. As viewed in Figure 3, the front end of the bracket includes the front flanges 34 formed by bending extensions of the side frames 22 and the mounting flanges 24 into overlapping relation and spot welding them together.

The power actuating means 14 for operating the striker element 10 consists of a reversible electric motor 36, a gear housing 38 and an actuator screw 40 driven by the motor 36 through the gearing (not shown) in the gear housing 38. The motor 36 and the gear housing 38 are fixedly mounted to the motor mounting flange 30 by bolts 42. Rotation of the screw 40 causes axial movement thereon of a traveling nut 44 in threaded engagement with the screw.

To transfer motion between the traveling nut 44 and the striker element 10, Figures 3 and 4, oppositely disposed triangular-shaped bell crank levers 46 spaced apart by a spacer sleeve 48 are employed. The bell crank levers 46 have slots 50 engageably receiving side lugs 52 on the nut 44 with suitable snap rings 54 retaining the levers on the lugs. Rearwardly from the slots 50, a striker supporting member '56 is connected by pins 58 to the bell crank levers 46. This striker supporting member 56 has a guide shaft '60 which slidably fits within arcuate guide slots '62 formed in each of the side frames 22. The stn'ker element 10 passes through clearance holes 64 in the supportingmember 56 and is prevented from moving axially by a head portion 66 and a snap ring 68.

Referring to Figure 3, the aforementioned tension means 20 comprises a tension member or shaft 70, which is supported at an intermediate portion by the spacer sleeve 48 connected through openings 72 to the bottom of the bell crank levers 46, and spring means indicated generally at 74. Two of these spring means 74 with the bell crank levers 46 support the tension member 70 at its extremities.

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the spring means 74 includes bifurcated channel-shaped pivot members 76 with terminal ends 78 pivotably supported by slots 80 in the front flanges 34. The ends of the tension member 7 0 extend through the apertures 81 in each pivot member 76 and have snap rings 82 restraining the tension member 70 against axial movement. The pivot members 76 have openings '83 for receiving elongated bolts 84 having surrounding guide sleeves 86. The bolts 84 extend through clearance holes 88 in a recessed portion '90 of the mounting flanges 24. Upper and lower positioning springs 92 and '94, slidable on the guide sleeves :86, see Figure 5, are disposed on opposite sides of the pivot member 76. Take-up nuts 95 seat washers 96 against the top of the guide sleeves 86 preloading the springs in accordance with the sleeve length. As the tension member 70 is moved, e.g., upwardly by movement of the bell crank levers 46, the pivot members 76 pivot in the slots '80 downwardly to a stressed position compressing the lower positioning springs 94 while releasing the loads on the upper positioning springs 92. The reverse takes place when the tension member 70 is moved downward 1y. It should be noted that when the tension member 70 is free, the two springs '92 and 94, dependent on their relative biasing strengths, will move the pivot members 76 and accordingly, the tension member 70 to a neutral or unstressed position.

In Figure 2, the latch operated means 18, a motor starter control device, consists of a two-way microswitch 97 of known construction attached to a cross rib 98 integral with the striker supporting member 56 and a switch actuating arrn 100 biased upwardly by a spring (not shown). With the striker element in the projected or unlocked position illustrated by broken lines, the latch 16 during closing movement will engage the arm 100 overcoming the spring bias and actuating switch 97. Hence, an electrical circuit is completed initiating rotation of the motor 36 in a direction which will move the nut 44 downwardly on the screw 40. Another electrical circuit is completed by actuation of the switch 97 when the latch 16 moves out of engagement with arm 100. The arm 100 will be biased upwardly actuating the switch 97 effecting an opposite rotation of the motor 36 and a return of the nut 44 to Figure 4 position.

For stopping operation of the electric motor 36 the tension means 20 coacts with a motor stopping control device in the form of a double type plunger switch 102, best shown in Figures 4 and 6, attached to a support arm 104 on one of the pivot members 76. A plunger 106 extends from the switch 102 and bears against a portion of one of the mounting flanges 24. When the pivot members 76 are moved upwardly and downwardly, Figure 6, stressing and unstressing the springs 92 and 94, the switch 102 is also moved upwardly and downwardly. Consequently, the plunger 106 is projected and retracted while still abutting the fixed flange 24 so that in each of these extreme projected and retracted positions the switch 102 is opened interrupting the motor circuit operative at the time.

Illustrated by Figure la is a circuit diagram forthe motor and control devices with a suitable source of elec tricity, such as a battery 108, grounded at 110 and connected to a main conductor 112 leading to the microswitch 97. One contact of the microswitch is connected to a conductor 114 and the other contact is connected to a conductor 116. The conductors 1'14 and 116 are connected to the plunger switch 102, the plunger 106 being depicted as a dashed line. From the plunger switch 102 a conductor 118 leads to one side of the motor 36, suitably grounded at 120, and a conductor 122 leads to the other side. With the switches 97 and 102 in theposition shown, operation of the motor 'is interrupted. Assuming that the striker element is in the projected positon and engagement between the latch 16 and striker is started, then the switch actuating arm 100 will be moved downwardly against the spring bias and the microswitch 97 will be moved from the depicted position activating the circuit consisting of the conductors 112, 114 and 118 so as to start operationof the motor 36 in one direction. The motor will continue to operate until plunger switch 102 is moved to interrupt the connection between the conductors 114 and 118 and close the connection between the conductors 116 and 122. Then, when the microswitch is moved back by the spring bias to the former position shown, as when the latch is moved out of engagement with the the switch actuating arm 100, the circuit comprising conductors 112, 116 and 122 will start the motor operating in an opposite direction until interrupted by the switch 102.

The relative movements of the linkage for the striker mechanism can be explained as follows:

During retraction and projection of the striker element 10, the traveling nut 44 transfers motion through the slots 50 and the lugs 52 to the bell crank levers 46. The levers 46 then pivot about the axis of the tension member 70 transferring this pivotal movement through the pins 58 to the striker supporting member 56. With the combination of this pivotal movement and the movement permitted by the arcuate slots 62, the striker element 10 will travel up and down in a straight line. After the striker element 10 is fully retracted, the striker element 10 becomes the pivot point for the linkageand fur ther travel of the nut 14-forces the tension member '70 upwardly to the dotted line Figure 4 position with the upper positioning spring 92 of the spring means 74 compressed. In the projected position of the striker element 10 the guide shaft 60 for the striker supporting member 56 becomes the pivot point for the linkage so that travel of the nut 44 moves the tension member downwardly to the full line Figure 6 position compressing the lower positioning spring 94.

To describe the cycle of operation it will be presumed that the latch member 16 is moved into engagement with the projected striker element 10. As a result, the latch 16 will move the switch actuating arm downwardly actuating the microswitch 97 and completing the electrical circuit for the electric motor 36. The motor and the gearing will then rotate the actuator screw 40 in a direction that causes the traveling nut 44 to move rearwardly pivoting the bell cranks 46 about the axis of the tension member 70 to retract the striker supporting member 56 and striker element 10. After the striker element 10 and the latch 16 reach the substantially fully retracted or locked positions with related closure members (not shown) closed to some predetermined pressure determined by the spring means 74, the striker element 10 becomes the pivot point for the linkage. Further movement of the bell crank levers 46 by the actuator screw 40 and the traveling nut 44 will force the tension member 70 to move upwardly to the dotted line position in Figure 4. As mentioned before, when the tension member 70 moves upwardly, the channel-shaped pivot members 76 will also be moved upwardly (see in Figure 2) causing the plunger 106 to move outwardly from the plunger switch 102. At a predetermined point in this outward travel, the switch means interrupts the circuit to the motor, stopping operation of the motor 36 and accordingly rotation of the actuator screw 40.

The remainder of the cycle of operation starts when the latch member 16 is moved out of engagement with both thestrike'r element 10 and the switch actuating arm 100. Then, with the arm 100 being biased upwardly, the microswitch 97 is actuated starting motor operation and the rotation of the actuator screw 40 in a direction that moves the traveling nut 44 outwardly on the screw. As the traveling nut moves outwardly, the tension member 70 is moved to the neutral or unstressed position by the spring means 74 providing the pivotal axis for pivoting the bell crank levers 46. The levers 46 through the pins 58 move the striker supporting member 56 and the striker element 10 outwardly to the projected positions until the supporting memberguide shaft 60 reaches the upper end of the arcuate guide slots 62. Then, the shaft 60 becomes the pivot point for the linkage so that continued movement of the nut 44 will be taken up by the tension member 70 and the spring means 74. The pivot members 76 will be in the Figure 6 full line position with the plunger 106 moved inwardly a predetermined amount opening the switch 102 and again interrupting operation of the motor 38.

As can be seen, the cycle of operation of the latch striker mechanism is automatic. Furthermore, when the striker element 10 and the latch 16 move to the locked position, which is the closed positions of the related closure members, the closure members will be closedto a predetermined pressure insuring a complete closure despite misalignments and wear. When this predetermined pressure occurs, the linkage pivots about the striker element 10 with the motion being taken up by the tension means 20 as previously described.

We claim:

1. In a striker mechanism, the-cornbination comprising, a movably mounted striker element, power actuating means, pivotally mounted linkage means operated by said power actuating means for moving said striker element to projected and retracted positions, and means includingv a tension device automatically operative after said striker element is moved to either of said projected and retracted positions for rendering said power actuating arrears inoperative.

2. In a striker mechanism, the combination comprising, a movably mounted striker element, power actuating means, pivotally mounted linkage means operated by said power actuating means for moving said striker element to projected and retracted positions along a substantially straight line of travel, and control means for automatically rendering said power actuating means inoperative after said striker element is moved to either of said projected and retracted positions.

3. In a striker mechanism, the combination comprising, a movably mounted striker element, power actuating means, pivotailly mounted linkage means connected to said striker element and operated by said power actuating me'ans to move said striker element to locked and unlocked positions relative to a latch, and control means including a tension device for automatically rendering said power actuating means inoperative after said striker element is moved to either of said locked and unlocked positions.

4. In a striker mechanism movable to projected and retracted positions, the combination comprising, a movably mounted striker element, power actuating means operative to move said striker element to projected and retracted positions, means including a tension device for rendering said power actuating means inoperative after said striker element is moved to either of the projected and retracted positions, and linkage means interconnecting said striker element and said means for rendering said power actuating means inoperative with said power actuating means for transferring motion therefrom, said linkage means being pivotable about said means for rendering said power actuating means inoperative during travel to and from the projected and retracted positions of the striker element and being pivotable substantially :about said striker element in the projected and retracted positions of the striker element.

5. In a striker mechanism, the combination comprising, a striker element, a pivotally mounted support for said element, power actuating means operative to move said striker element to locked and unlocked positions relative to a latch, latch operated means to initiate operation of said power actuating means upon either engagement with or disengagement from said latch, and means including a tension device for rendering said power actuating means inoperative after said striker element is moved to either of said locked and unlocked positions.

6. In a striker mechanism, the combination comprising, a movably mounted striker element, power actuating means, compound linkage means disposed between said power actuating means and said striker element operative to be actuated by said power actuating means to move said striker element to projected and retracted positions relative to a latch, and control means actuable to render said power actuating means inoperative, and tension means operative upon attainment of a predetermined pressure between said striker element and the latch to actuate said control means.

7. In a striker mechanism movable to projected and retracted positions, the combination comprising, a bracket, power actuating means supported on said bracket, a striker element movably mounted on said bracket, a tension member yielda-bly mounted on said bracket for movement to stressed and unstressed positions, pivotally mounted linkage means interconnecting said tension member and said striker element for transferring motion therebetween, said linkage means being actuated by said power actuating means to move said striker element to said projected and retracted positions and to move said tension member to the stressed position when said striker element is in either of said projected or retracted positions, and a control device associated with said tension member to render said power actuating '6 means inoperative when said tension member is stressed position.

8. In a striker mechanism movable to projected and retracted positions, the combination comprising, a bracket, power actuating means supported on said bracket, a striker element movably mounted on said bracket, a tension member yieldably mounted on said bracket for movement to stressed and unstressed positions, and pivotally mounted linkage-means interconnecting said tension member and said striker element for transferring motion therebetween, said linkage means being actuated by said power actuating means to move said striker element along a substantially straight line path to said projected and retracted positions and to move said tension member to the stressed position when said striker element is in either of said projected or r tracted positions.

9. In a striker mechanism movable to locked and unlocked positions relative to a latch, the combination comprising, a bracket having extending flanges with arcuate guide slots, power actuating means supported on said bracket, a striker element supported by said bracket for movement within said guide slots, a tension member yieldably mounted on said bracket for movement to stressed and unstressed positions, a bell crank lever interconnecting said striker element and said tension member, said bell crank lever being movable by said power actuating means to move said striker element to said locked and unlocked positions and to move said tension member to the stressed position when said striker element is in either of said locked or unlocked positions, and a control device associated with said tension member to render said power actuating means inoperative when said tension member is in the stressed position.

10. In a striker mechanism movable to locked and unlocked positions relative to a latch, the combination comprising, a bracket, power actuating means supported on said bracket, a striker element movably mounted on said bracket, a first control device associated with said striker element to render said power actuating means operative either upon engagement or disengagement with the latch, a tension member yieldably mounted on said bracket for movement to stressed and unstressed positions, pivotally mounted linkage means interconnecting said tension member and said striker element for transferring motion therebetween, said linkage means being actuated by said power actuating means to move said striker element to said projected and retracted positions and to move said tension member to the stressed posi tion when said striker element is in either of said projected or retracted positions, and a second control device associated with said tension member to render said power actuating means inoperative when said tension member is in the stressed position.

11. In a striker mechanism movable to locked and unlocked positions relative to a latch, the combination comprising, a bracket, a reversible electric motor mounted on said bracket, a striker element movably mounted on said bracket, a first motor control switch adapted upon engagement with the latch to start operation of said motor to move said striker element to said locked position and upon disengagement with the latch to start operation of said motor to move said striker element to the unlocked position, a tension member yieldably mounted on said bracket for movement to stressed and unstressed positions, pivotally mounted linkage means interconnecting said tension member and said striker element for transferring motion therebetween, said linkage means being actuated by said electric motor to move said striker element to said locked and unlocked positions and to move said tension member to the stressed position when said striker element is in either of said locked or unlocked positions, and a second motor control switch associated with said tension member to render said in the electric motor inoperative when said tension member is in the stressed position.

12. In a striker mechanism movable to locked and unlocked poistions relative to a latch, the combination comprising, a bracket having extending flanges with arcuate guide slots, a motor and screw mounted on said bracket, said screw being rotated by said motor, a travelin'g nut movable on said screw, a striker element adapted for movement within said guide slots, a tension member yieldably mounted on said bracket for movement to stressed and unstressed positions, a bell crank lever interconnecting said striker element and said tension member, said bell crank lever being movable by' said traveling nut to move said striker element to said locked and unlocked positions and to move said tension member to the stressed position when said striker element is in either of said locked or unlocked positions, and a control device associated with said tension member to render said motor and screw inoperative when said tension member is in the stressed position.

13. In a striker mechanism movable to locked and unlocked positions relative to a latch, the combination comprising, a bracket having extending flanges with arcuate guide slots, a reversible electric motor and screw mounted on said bracket, said screw being rotated by said motor, a traveling nut movable on said screw, a striker element adapted for movement within said guide slots, a first control device associated with said striker element to render said electric motor and" screw operative either upon engagement or disengagement with the latch, a tension member yieldably mounted on said bracket for movement to stressed and unstressed positions, a linkage means interconnecting said tension member and said striker element for transferring motion therebetween, said linkage means being actuated by said electric motor and screw to move said striker element to said locked and unlocked positions and to move said tension member to the stressed position when said striker element is in either of said locked or unlocked positions, and a second control device associated with said tension member to render said electric motor and screw inoperative when said tension member is in the stressed position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

